George  Washington  Flowers 
Memorial  Collection 

DUKE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 


ESTABLISHED  BY  THE 
FAMILY  OF 
COLONEL  FLOWERS 


CHURCH  COVENANT 


AND 


ARTICLES  OF  FfllTH 

OF  THE 

Cashie  Baptist  Church 

<  OF 

WINDSOR,  N.  C. 


RALEIGH: 
Edwards  &  Broughton,  Printers  and  Binders. 


CHURCH  COVENANT 


AND 


ARTICLES  OF  FfllTH 


OF  THE 


Cashie  Baptist  Church, 

OF 

WINDSOR,  N.  C. 


RALEIGH: 
Edwards  &  Broughton,  Printers  and  Binders. 
1893. 


Dear  Brother.— Please  read  carefully  the  fol- 
lowing covenant,  remembering  that  when  you 
became  a  member  of  Cashie  church  you  entered 
into  this  solemn  agreement,  than  which  no  oath 
could  be  more  binding.  You  thus  took  upon  your- 
self the  solemn  obligation  to  pray  in  your  family, 
to  attend  church  meetings,  to  observe  the  Sabbath- 
day  and  keep  it  holy,  and  to  assist  in  defraying 
the  expenses  of  the  church  and  the  support  of  the 
ministry.    Are  you  living  up  to  your  obligations? 

By  the  order  of  the  church: 

J.  B.  BOONE, 
D.  E.  MODLIN, 

Committee. 


CHURCH  COVENANT. 


Forasmuch  as  Almighty  God  by  His  grace  has 
been  pleased  to  call  us  (as  we  hope)  whose  names 
are  underneath  subscribed,  out  of  darkness  into 
His  marvellous  light,  and  all  of  us  have  been  reg- 
ularly baptized  upon  a  profession  of  our  faith  in 
Christ  Jesus,  and  have  given  up  ourselves  to  the 
Lord  and  one  another  in  a  gospel  church  way,  to 
be  governed  and  guided  by  a  proper  discipline, 
agreeable  to  the  Word  of  God,  we  do,  therefore, 
in  the  name  of  theXord  Jesus  Christ,  and  by  His 
assistance,  covenant  and  agree  to  keep  up  the  dis- 
cipline of  the  church  in  the  most  brotherly  and 
affectionate  manner  toward  each  other  whilst  we 
endeavor  faitlifuUy  to  observe  the  following  rules, 
viz. : 

Fi  st.  In  brotherly  love  to  pray  for  each  other, 
to  watch  over  each  other,  and,  if  need  be,  in  the 
most  affectionate  manner  to  reprove  each  other; 
that  is,  if  we  discover  anything  amiss  in  a  brother, 
to  go  and  tell  him  his  faults,  according  to  the 
directions  given  by  our  Lord  in  the  eighteenth 
chapter  of  His  Gospel  by  Matthew.  And  not  to 
be  whispering  and  backbiting. 

Secondly.  We  do  also  covenant  and  agree  by 
God's  help,  to  pray  in  our  families,  to  attend  reg- 


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ularly  our  church  meetings,  observe  the  Lord's  day 
and  keep  it  holy,  and  not  to  absent  ourselves  from 
the  communion  of  the  Lord's  Supper  without  a  law- 
ful excuse;  to  be  ready  to  assist  in  defraying  the 
expenditures  of  the  church,  and  for  the  support  of 
the  ministry;  and  not  to  irregularly  depart  from 
the  fellowship  of  the  church,  nor  remove  to  dis- 
tant churches  without  a  regular  letter  of  dismission. 

Thirdly.  These  things,  and  all  others  necessary 
and  useful,  we  do  covenant  and  agree  to  keep 
sacred  in  the  name  of,  and  by  the  assistance  of, 
the  Holy  Trinity.  Amen. 


Please  read  and  carefully  examine  the  Scripture  refer- 
ences attached  to  each  of  the  following 
Articles  of  Faith. 


ARTICLES  OF  FAITH. 


I  Of  the  Scriptures. — We  believe  the  Holy  Bible 
was  written  by  men  divinely  inspired,  and  is  a  per- 
fect treasure  of  heavenly  instruction;  that  it  has 
God  for  its  author,  salvation  for  its  end,  and  truth, 
without  any  mixture  of  error,  for  its  matter;  that 
it  reveals  the  principles  by  which  God  will  judge 
us;  and  therefore  is,  and  shall  remain  to  the  end 
of  the  world,  the  true  centre  of  Christian  Union, 
and  the  supreme  standard  by  which  all  human 
conduct,  creeds,  and  opinions  should  be  tried.  2 
Tim.  iii:  16;  2  Peter  i:  21, 

II.  Of  the  True  God. — That  there  is  one,  and 
only  one,  true  and  living  God,  whose  name  is 
Jehovah  the  Maker  and  Supreme  Ruler  of  heaven 
and  earth;  inexpressibly  glorious  in  holiness;  wor- 
thy of  all  possible  honor,  confidence  and  love; 
revealed  under  the  personal  and  relative  distinc- 
tions of  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit; 
equal  in  every  divine  perfection,  and  executing 
distinct,  but  harmonious  offices  in  the  great  work 
of  redemption.  Gen.  i:  1-17;  Isaiah  xliv:  6,  8; 
Heb.  ii:  10. 


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III.  Of  the  Fall  of  Man. —That  man  was  created 
in  a  state  of  holiness,  under  the  law  of  his  Maker, 
but  by  voluntary  transgression  fell  from  that  holy 
and  happy  state;  in  consequence  of  which  all  man- 
kind are  now  sinners,  not  by  constraint  but  choice; 
being  by  nature  utterly  void  of  that  holiness  re- 
quired by  the  law  of  God,  wholly  given  to  the 
gratification  of  the  world,  of  Satan  and  their  own 
sinful  passions,  and  therefore  under  just  condemna- 
tion to  eternal  ruin,  without  defence  or  excuse. 
Gen  i:  27;  vi:  5;  Rom,  v:  12;  viii:  6,  7,  8;  Eph.  ii:  i. 

IV.  O/t/ie  IVayofSalvatioft. — That  the  salvation 
of  sinners  is  wholly  of  grace,  through  the  media- 
torial offices  of  the  Son  of  God,  who  took  upon 
him  our  nature,  yet  without  sin;  honored  the  law 
by  his  personal  obedience,  and  made  atonement 
for  our  sins  by  his  death;  having  risen  from  the 
dead,  he  is  now  enthroned  in  heaven;  and  uniting 
in  his  wonderful  person  the  tenderest  sympathies 
with  divine  perfections,  is  every  way  qualified  to  be 
a  suitable,  a  compassionate,  and  an  all-sufficient 
Savior.  Rom,  v:  8;  iv:  25;  Eph.  ii:  8,  9;  2  Cor.  v: 
21;  Heb.  vii:  25. 

V.  Of  Justification.— That  the  great  Gospel 
blessing  which  Christ  of  his  fullness  bestows  on 
such  as  believe  in  Him,  is  justification;  that  justifi- 
cation consists  in  the  pardon  of  sin  and  the  promise 
of  eternal  life,  on  principles  of  righteousness;  that 
it  is  bestowed  not  in  consideration  of  any  works  of 


7 


righteousness  which  we  have  done,  but  solely 
through  his  own  redemption  and  righteousness; 
that  it  brings  us  into  a  state  of  most  blessed  peace 
and  favor  with  God,  and  secures  every  other  bless- 
ing needful  for  time  and  eternity.  Eph.  ii:  8,  9; 
Gal.  ii:  16;  Rom.  v:  i. 

VI.  Of  the  Freeness  of  Salvation. — That  the 
blessings  of  salvation  are  made  free  to  all  by  the 
Gospel;  that  it  is  the  immediate  duty  of  all  to 
accept  them  by  a  cordial  and  obedient  faith,  and 
that  nothing  prevents  the  salvation  of  the  greatest 
sinner  on  earth,  except  his  own  voluntary  refusal 
to  submit  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  which  refusal 
will  subject  him  to  an  aggravated  condemnation. 
John  iii:  16;  Isa.  Iv:  i;  Ezek.  xxxiii:  11;  Rev.  xxii: 
17;  John  v:  40, 

VII.  Of  Grace  in  Regeneration.— Thdit  in  order 
to  be  saved  we  must  be  regenerated  or  born  again; 
that  regeneration  consists  in  giving  a  holy  disposi- 
tion to  the  mind,  and  is  effected  by  the  power  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  through  the  instrumentality  of 
the  Word  of  God,  so  as  to  secure  our  voluntary 
obedience  to  the  Gospel;  and  that  its  proper 
evidence  is  found  in  the  holy  fruit  which  we  bring 
forth  to  the  glory  of  God.  John  iii:  3-7,  8;  2  Thes. 
ii:  13;  Bph.  vi:  17. 

VIII.  Of  God's  Purpose  of  Grace.— That  election 
is  the  gracious  purpose  of  God,  according  to  which 
He  regenerates,  sanctifies,  and  saves  sinners;  that 


8 


being  perfectly  consistent  with  the  free  agency  of 
man.  it  comprehends  all  the  means  in  connection 
with  the  end,  that  it  is  a  most  glorious  display  of 
God's  sovereign  goodness,  being  infinitely  wise, 
holy  and  unchangeable;  that  it  utterh'  excludes 
boasting,  and  promotes  humility,  prayer,  praise, 
trust  in  God,  and  active  imitation  of  his  free 
mercy;  that  it  encourages  the  use  of  means  in  the 
highest  degree;  that  it  is  ascertained  by  its  effects 
in  all  who  believe  the  Gospel;  is  the  foundation 
of  Christian  assurance;  and  that  to  ascertain  it 
with  regard  to  ourselves,  demands  and  deserves 
our  utmost  diligence.  Deut.  vii.  6;  Eph.  i.  3,  4; 
I  Peter  i:  2;  Rom.  v:  8;  Eph.  ii:  S. 

IX.  Of  the  Perseverance  of  Saints. — That  such 
onl}'  are  real  believers  as  endure  unto  the  end; 
that  their  persevering  attachment  to  Christ  is  the 
grand  mark  which  distinguishes  them  from  super- 
ficial professors;  that  a  special  Providence  watches 
over  their  welfare;  and  they  are  kept  by  the  power 
of  God  through  faith  unto  salvation.  Luke  x:  42; 
I  Peter  i:  3,  4,  5;  Heb.  vi:  17,  18,  19,  20. 

X.  Harmony  of  the  Law  and  Gospel. — That  the 
Law  of  God  is  the  eternal  and  unchangeable  rule 
of  his  moral  government;  that  it  is  holy,  just  and 
good;  and  that  the  inability  which  the  Scriptures 
ascribe  to  fallen  man  to  fulfil  its  precepts,  arises 
entirely  from  their  love  of  sin;  to  deliver  them 
from  which,  and  to  restore  them  through  a  Mediator 


I 


9 


to  unfeigned  obedience  to  the  Holy  Law,  is  the 
great  end  of  the  Gospel.  Rom.  iii:  19,  20,  21;  v: 
21;  John  iii:  19,  20;  Titus  iii:  8. 

XI.  Of  the  Church  of  (T^r/^/.— That  a  Church 
of  Christ  is  a  congregation  of  baptized  believers, 
associated  by  covenant  in  the  faith  and  fellowship 
of  the  Gospel;  observing  the  ordinances  of  Christ; 
governed  by  His  laws;  and  exercising  the  gifts, 
rights  and  privileges  invested  in  them  by  His 
-word;  that  its  only  proper  oflficers  are  bishops  or 
pastors,  and  deacons,  whose  qualifications,  claims 
and  duties  are  defined  in  the  Epistles  to  Timothy 
and  Titus.  Matt,  xxviii:  18,  19,  20;  2  Tim.  ii:  2; 
Tim.  i:  1-8;  Titus  i:;. 

XIL  Of  Church  Independence. —Th.?it  every 
church  is  independent  in  matters  of  discipline; 
and  that  Associations,  Councils  and  Conferences 
of  several  ministers  or  churches  are  not  to  impose 
on  the  churches  the  keeping,  holding,  or  main- 
taining any  principle  or  practice,  contrary  to  the 
church's  judgment.    Acts  xx:  28;  xv:  22. 

XIII.  Of  Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper  — 
That  Christian  baptism  is  the  immersion  of  a 
believer  in  water,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and 
Son,  and  Holy  Spirit;  to  show  forth  in  a  solemn 
and  beautiful  emblem  our  faith  in  a  crucified, 
buried  and  risen  Savior;  and  is  the  answer  of  a 
good  conscience  towards  God;  that  it  is  prerequisite 
to  the  privileges  of  a  church  relation,  and  to  the 


lO 


Lord's  Supper,  in  which  the  members  of  the 
church,  by  the  use  of  bread  and  wine,  are  to  com- 
memorate the  dying  love  of  Christ,  and  should  be 
preceded  by  self-examination.  Acts  ii:  28;  Mark 
xvi:  16;  Rom.  vi:  4;  i  John  v:  3;  John  xiv:  15,  16, 
17;  Luke  xxii:  19,  20;  i  John  xi:  27,  28. 

XIV.  Of  the  Christian  Sabbath.— Thai  the  first 
day  of  the  week  is  the  Lord's  Day,  or  Christian 
Sabbath,  and  is  to  be  kept  sacred  to  religious, 
purposes  by  abstaining  from  all  secular  labor  and 
recreations;  by  the  devout  observance  of  all  the 
means  of  grace,  both  private  and  public;  and  by 
preparation  for  that  rest  which  remaineth  for  the 
people  of  God.  Col.  ii:  16;  Acts  xv:  21;  xx:  7; 
John  XX :  19. 

XV.  Of  Civil  Government. — That  civil  govern- 
ment is  of  divine  appointment,  for  the  interests 
and  good  order  of  human  society;  and  that  magis- 
trates are  to  be  prayed  for,  conscientiously  honored 
and  obeyed,  except  in  things  opposed  to  the  will 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  the  only  Lord  of 
the  conscience,  and  the  Prince  of  the  kings  of  the 
earth,    i  Peter  ii:  13,  14;  Matt,  xxii:  21. 

XVI.  Of  the  Righteous  and  the  Wicked.— That 
there  is  a  radical  and  essential  difference  between 
the  righteous  and  the  wicked;  that  such  only  as 
through  faith  are  justified  in  the  name  of  the  Lord 
Jesus,  and  sanctified  by  the  spirit  of  our  God,  are 
truly  righteous  in  his  esteem;  while  all  such  as 


II 


continue  in  impenitence  and  unbelief  are  in  His 
sight  wicked,  and  under  the  curse;  and  this 
distinction  holds  among  men  both  in  and  after 
death.  Matt,  iii:  i8;  Rom.  viii:  i;  iv:  21,  22;  John 
iii:  18;  Matt,  xxv:  46. 

XVII.  Of  the  World  to  Come.— That  the  end  of 
this  world  is  approaching;  and  at  the  last  day 
Christ  will  descend  from  Heaven,  and  raise  the 
dead  from  the  grave  to  final  retribution;  that 
a  solemn  separation  will  then  take  place;  that  the 
wicked  will  be  adjudged  to  eudless  punishment, 
and  the  righteous  to  endless  joy;  and  that  this 
judgment  will  fix  forever  the  final  state  of  men  in 
heaven  or  hell,  on  principles  of  righteousness. 
Matt,  xxiv:  30;  2  Cor.  v:  10;  Matt,  xxiv:  26;  xxv:  46. 


N.C.  Religious  pamphlets 


N.C.     204    Z99     1860-99    v.  2 

Nos.1-13  345074 


